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Talk of the bay

At least one person happy Glazer is taking over Man U

By LOUIS HAU
Published May 30, 2005

The Manchester United board resisted Malcolm Glazer's takeover offer for as long as it could. And Red Devils fans want to run the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner out of town.

But according to the British press, at least a person in Manchester is looking forward to meeting Glazer: Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.

The 26-year-old Ferdinand, one of the team's biggest stars, has been embroiled in protracted contract talks with the team. According to press reports, Ferdinand's five-year contract doesn't expire until 2007, but he is seeking a new deal that would pay him 120,000 pounds a week (about $219,000), 20,000 pounds more than the team is said to have offered.

The Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror reported last week that Ferdinand is hoping Glazer's arrival will end the stalemate. The Daily Mail quoted a source as saying "Rio and his agent will meet with Glazer as soon as all this goes through and they hope that he will not have a problem with bridging the small gap that exists between United's offer and Rio's requirement."

After Man U's heartbreaking defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 21, the Manchester Evening News quoted remarks by Ferdinand that seemed to suggest he wants to stay with the team.

"Losing makes you hungrier," he told the newspaper. "I want to win trophies at Manchester United."

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 17:40:03]